Brooks Racer ST replacement? (Read 43 times)

I don't have any good advice, but will be interested to see the responses.

I have always raced in training shoes, and just started looking into something more geared to racing.

I generally wear Brooks, so started there. They have two support models, Asteria ($110) and Neuro ($120). Not sure which one is closer to the ST, but I liked the Neuro a bit better. However I ended up buying the Hyperion (I think basically replacement of T7), which is neutral and the lightest one they make at 6.4 oz ($130). They felt great for a very short tryout at the store, although much less of a shoe than I'm used to. So I'm concerned about longer distances; will have to see how it works out (thank you 90-day return policy).

I am looking too. I keep trying to get extra life out of my Brooks T5 racer (my favorite) and a couple Green Silence. I was excited about the Hyperion as I want a racer under 7 oz.  I have a bunion so thought I would go up a 1/2 size to 11.5. I could barely get my foot in the shoe the forefoot was so narrow and I do not have a wide foot. I sent back and now I find I need a size 11.5 in Brooks Ghost 9. Last year I purchased the Saucony A type racer which is very light. I was pumped. Great fit but very firm and lower heel to toe. I pulled a calf in first race with them. I need to be 150 lbs to race in these not 180 lbs. Of course I won't be using those again. Wore one time. For me, for racing, I like a bit more heel which seems to take a bit of stress off calves which as I seem to be sensitive to strains.

 

I am a bit perplexed on running shoe sizing. I wear a size 10 dress shoe which is big. Now I am finding it hard to get in size 11 running shoes. I wore 9-9.5 in HS/college and now up to 11.5. I get the foot flattens a bit over time. I will be in size 13 by the time I am 70. I think it is best to go to a running specialty store to just try them on. It is tough to order and hope!

I am looking too. I keep trying to get extra life out of my Brooks T5 racer (my favorite) and a couple Green Silence. I was excited about the Hyperion as I want a racer under 7 oz.  I have a bunion so thought I would go up a 1/2 size to 11.5. I could barely get my foot in the shoe the forefoot was so narrow and I do not have a wide foot. I sent back and now I find I need a size 11.5 in Brooks Ghost 9. Last year I purchased the Saucony A type racer which is very light. I was pumped. Great fit but very firm and lower heel to toe. I pulled a calf in first race with them. I need to be 159 lbs to race in these not 180 lbs. Of course I won't be using those again. Wore one time. For me, for racing, I like a bit more heel which seems to take a bit of stress off calves which I seems to be sensitive to strains.

 

I am a bit perplexed on running shoe sizing. I wear a size 10 dress shoe which is big. Now I am finding it hard to get in size 11 running shoes. I wore 9-9.5 in HS/college and now up to 11.5. I get the foot flatten a bit over time. I will be in size 13 by the time ai am 70. I think it is best to go to a running specialty store to just try them on. It is tough to order and hope!

So I went for my first test run in the Hyperion, and have the same issue as you with narrow forefoot area. I like the shoe otherwise, so hopefully can find something similar with a roomier toebox.

As far as sizing - I am 11 in a regular shoe, and usually go 12.5 in a running shoe. (Maybe didn't help that the Hyperion is not actually available in 12.5, so I got a 12.)

This is the shoe I would really like to try for racing as it has wider toe box and light.

https://www.altrarunning.com/men/one-25-neutral-running-shoe

 

My only concern would be the zero drop but maybe I am making too big a deal out of that as I do run in the Kinvara for shorter/quicker training runs without issue.

If you can wear low drop shoes, you might also try the Saucony Fastwitch (4mm drop), very light and supposedly a fairly wide toebox.

BTW, I exchanged the Hyperion for the Asteria, and in fact raced a 10k in them right out of the box. The race was a disaster for other reasons, but the shoes felt pretty good.

I'm a part time running instructor and sales associate at a local running specialty store in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

A couple options you may like in the future that are similar:

New Balance Zante

New Balance 1400 V4

Saucony Kinvara

Adidas Adizero (I know you wrote about them, my GF races in these and loves them)

Just a couple options for you to check out!